Chapter 129: 129. Robin Plans, Yamato Hits Cocoa Island

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- "So these people are the ones Master Alex plans to discard?" Sandersonia's gaze lingered on the group of unconscious intruders. For these individuals, their fate had already been sealed. Even within a militarized and Shogun-led society like Wanokuni, differences in loyalty and competence inevitably arose. These intruders were proof of that—individuals deemed disposable as potential self-destruct soldiers in Alex's grand plans. "I don't know for sure," Baby-5 replied. "Sister Robin will make the final judgment." She glanced at the motionless figures and scoffed. "Still, sneaking into a restricted area and bribing guards—both are capital offenses. Even I know this at my age. How could they be so stupid?" Despite her words, Baby-5 approached the downed infiltrators and kicked them a few times, not holding back. Even dressed in her combat maid uniform, adorned with decorative flourishes, there was an undeniable air of a gangster leader about her. "Well, for people like them, the lure of immortality is worth any risk." A new voice joined the conversation, smooth and intellectual. "Indeed. The promise of eternal life is a temptation few can resist." The speaker stepped into the room, a tall, elegant figure whose presence was instantly recognizable. "Miss Robin!" "Lord Robin!" Baby-5 and Sandersonia greeted her in unison, their tones a mix of respect and enthusiasm. Robin smiled warmly. "You both handled this situation well. I've been observing everything with my ability." Her gaze shifted to the unconscious intruders. "Whether it's the pure gold or the giantification experiment, these elements can serve another purpose: bait for Big Mom." "If we can manipulate her into attacking first, we'll minimize our own losses and turn the tide of the war in our favor." Hearing Robin's praise, Sandersonia grinned and scratched her head. "If only my abilities were as strong as Alex's... I'd be able to help even more." For Sandersonia, her dedication ran deep. Alex had saved her and her sisters from their darkest moments, and Amazon Lily's allegiance to Wanokuni was absolute. As the brother-in-law of their Empress, Boa Hancock, Alex's goals were Sandersonia's own. She would go to any lengths to fulfill his plans. Baby-5, meanwhile, saw her role more simply. Loyalty was a given, and praise from Robin was expected rather than sought after. Her ambitions were focused elsewhere. "Praise is nice," Baby-5 said with a confident smirk, "but what matters most is showing Master Alex what I can do in the next big battle." Though only thirteen, Baby-5 had grown into a formidable figure. Her time spent at the research base honing her skills, training in Armament and Observation Haki, and working alongside scientists had sharpened her mind as well as her combat abilities. "So will we, on behalf of Amazon Lily," Sandersonia added, her voice steady and resolute. Robin nodded. "I'll be sure to convey your dedication to Lord Alex." Robin turned and made her way toward the outer room, pausing at the secured door. A fingerprint scan and facial recognition check confirmed her access, and the doors slid open with a soft hum. Beyond this point lay the confidential core areas of the research base. These sections were strictly off-limits to returning scientists, who were still at the Fire Festival, and were protected from all but the highest-ranking personnel. Once her inspection was complete, Robin addressed the two women again. "I'll return to report these events to Lord Alex. In the meantime, enjoy the Fire Festival while you can. The tense days of preparation will be upon us soon enough." With that, Robin departed, taking the captured infiltrators with her. As one of Alex's manager, Robin's knowledge and experience extended far beyond combat. Her role as a military strategist, particularly in the planning of large-scale operations, was second to none. This wasn't a role Alex had assigned to her—it was one she had claimed for herself, complementing his ambitions with her sharp intellect. The latest piece of her plan had come from intelligence provided by the Shadow Guard. They had uncovered that Charlotte Linlin's 35th daughter is a Memo-Memo Fruit user. Big Mom's desire to enlarge the human body was no secret in the New World. By offering pure gold as bait alongside evidence of the giantification experiments, Robin intended to provoke Big Mom into attacking first, forcing her to deploy resources and abandon the defensive advantages of Whole Cake Island. This strategy wasn't just about baiting Big Mom into a premature offensive. If successful, it would weaken her supply lines and reduce the soul reserves she used to power her Homies. As the general manager of Alex's operations, Robin firmly believed in his ability to emerge victorious in this battle. But as a military strategist, Robin's role was to ensure that this victory was achieved with minimal effort and maximum impact. Her planning sought not just to defeat a single Emperor, but to set in motion a wave of events that would engulf the entire world. The Fire Festival continued in full swing, its joyful atmosphere masking the storm brewing beneath the surface. Having arranged her part of the plan with precision and received Alex's approval, Robin oversaw the departure of an electromagnetic floating yacht, its sleek design cutting through the air at remarkable speed. This advanced airship, powered by Wanokuni's new energy technology, featured powerful acceleration capabilities. A journey that might have taken days by traditional means now required mere hours. By the time the sun began its descent, the airship had reached Cocoa Island, the closest island in the Totto Land sea area to Wanokuni. Cocoa Island, while labeled as part of Big Mom's sprawling territory, was little more than a bustling town. From the floating yacht's high vantage point, the island's vibrant streets and neatly arranged buildings looked almost quaint. However, the appearance of the airborne vessel did not go unnoticed. "What's that?!" "A flying ship? Could it be—" The townsfolk's curiosity quickly turned to alarm as the sky above them darkened ominously. High above, Yamato stood at the bow of the airship, her long white hair flowing wildly in the fierce wind. Her usual spirited demeanor was absent; in its place was a calm presence. Her eyes scanned the island below with cold indifference. She raised her hands to the heavens, her movements deliberate. The skies responded to her will, roiling with dark clouds as the air grew heavy with static energy. Suddenly, arcs of high-voltage electricity erupted from her body. Sparks danced across her form, illuminating her as the center of a growing storm. With a sharp motion, Yamato concentrated the electrical energy into her palms, compressing it into a crackling orb of raw power. She thrust her hands skyward. Crack—BOOM! A blinding thunderbolt shot into the darkened clouds, igniting them with a network of interwoven lightning bolts. Thousands of electric currents coalesced in an instant, filling the sky with an awe-inspiring display of nature's fury. Below, the people of Cocoa Island stared in wide-eyed terror as the flickering storm above cast jagged shadows over the town. Among them were the guards stationed to defend the island. One of them shouted: "It's an enemy attack! Scatter and take cover! Send a message to Cake Island immediately!" But their warning came too late. From the airship, Yamato's eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, she brought her hand down in a decisive motion. "Ten Thousand Thunderbolts!" BOOM! The sky erupted in a torrent of destruction as countless lightning bolts rained down, each one as fierce as the wrath of a god. The bolts struck the ground with deafening force, obliterating buildings and shattering the earth. The destruction was relentless. Entire structures were reduced to rubble within seconds, their remains pulverized further into dust by successive strikes. The impact of the bolts sent shockwaves ripping through the air, leveling anything left standing. In just a few short minutes, Cocoa Island lay in ruins.